Aggregation polymorphism of photoactivatable Pt(IV) prodrugs as a strategy for the design of theranostic nanomaterials

Abstract

The design of multifunctional theranostic nanomaterials, including the application of J-aggregates as photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) therapy agents, is in high demand. Here, we report J-aggregates based on two photoactivatable Pt(IV) prodrugs NO2-Pt and C6F5-Pt with acceptor BODIPYs in the axial position with the A-A-D structure, capable of pho-toinduced cisplatin release in addition to PDT and PTT activity. Fluorophores showed aggregation polymorphism de-pending on the solvent used; non-fluorescent CT-coupled J-aggregates with a small bathochromic shift and fluorescent slip-stacked J-aggregates with a high bathochromic shift were isolated and characterized. These data represent an im-portant study of the influence of fluorophore structure on photophysical properties of J-aggregates and demonstrate the possibility of designing theranostic agents based on photoactivated Pt(IV) prodrugs.